Colby's Fall Workout Tour: Mount St. Joe

The month of September is upon us which means high schools teams are holding fall workouts, which college coaches of all levels are allowed to attend for a couple of weeks. For me, it gives me the opportunity to take full advantage of getting early looks at the teams in the DMV getting prepared for the 2023-24 season. I started my tour with the reigning Baltimore Catholic League champions.   Headlines entering the season   What voids were left behind from last season?   For the Gaels, this is a loaded question. The majority of their production graduated and will be a big task in replacing. Starting with Amani Hansberry (Illinois), who was one of the most dominant players not only in the DMV, but the nation last season. He was an automatic double-double and as the years went on and his game expanded, became a serious mismatch nightmare for anyone put in front of him. Ace Valentine (UMBC) seemed to make clutch play after clutch play last season and his ability to control the game from the point guard position will be one of the biggest challenges for this year's team. Austin Abrams (Stonehill) was a dead-eye shooter from three who could get hot quickly and change the course of a game within a few possessions. Sean Clark (CCBC Catonsville) was a seasoned veteran that understood his role off the bench and later in the season, as a starter. Towards the later part of the schedule, Clark really started to find his niche and embrace the role that he had in winning big games.   Who steps into bigger roles?   2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1280947' first='Tyonne' last='Farrell'] (Rhode Island commit) used the spring and summer to become a household name in the DMV. Whether it was by proving himself with [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] on the EYBL Circuit or in June's DMV Live stage, the 6-foot-6 forward is setting himself up to be the favorite for the BCL Player of the Year in my preseason awards piece coming in October. He's a fierce competitor who is now a legitimate threat off the bounce and as Hansberry did, has made himself into a true mismatch for the opposition. The addition of 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1225259' first='Jordan' last='Brathwaite'] via transfer cannot be understated. The 6-foot-3 guard, in my opinion, will challenge Farrell for the POY award as both should play well off each other's skill set. Brathwaite's ability to impact the game at both ends will be crucial in a league that depends heavily on guard play.   Speaking of guards, head coach Pat Clatchey has another trio of seniors to lean on. Although they weren't as seasoned as the group last year, there's plenty of confidence that they will catch on quickly. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1369642' first='DJ' last='Wingfield'] was another prospect who benefitted from the DMV Live stage. The 6-foot-1 guard is looking to step into the place of Abrams and supply elite shooting from the outside to space the floor. Wingfield is a guy who understands his strengths and plays within the team's concepts with good IQ. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2231760' first='Elijah' last='Hall'] is going to surprise some folks this year with his production. The 6-foot-3 southpaw will be featured on the ball and has a knack for creating open shots for others. He keeps it simple with his attack, but can also make defenders pay for late closeouts. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2231842' first='Ryan' last='Truitt'] has great quickness with the ball and understands how to expose the slightest of driving lanes. He'll keep the pressure on the defense with his slashing mindset and end-to-end speed.   2025 Joe Green's number will be called more often this season as yet another option for Coach Clatchey in the backcourt as a guy who brings his hardhat at both ends. He runs the floor hard in transition for scores, moves well without the ball and can be expected to fill a Marcus Smart sort of role for the Gaels this season.   Next to Farrell in the frontcourt will be 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1371862' first='Brandon' last='Holmes']. Talk about a guy who has taken steady strides in the right direction, whatever [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'] was doing with Holmes in the offseason is going to come into fruition. He has great size at 6'8-6'9 and a frame that still bring plenty of intrigue. Entering the season in the best shape that I've seen him in, Holmes' confidence continues to rise and as it does, his overall skill set will surface.   New faces to know   I want to start with the freshman for this portion because when all is said and done, I believe they'll be two of the best the DMV has to offer. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353521' first='Kenneth' last='Anthony'] stands 6-foot-8 and has a competitive motor that is rare in prospects his age and size. He's still working on smoothening out his post game, but he has soft touch to finish with either hand, dependable mitts on catches and can use his length for dunks. What blew me away in this workout was his confidence to pick-and-pop for three's as if it's already a natural skill for him. He works extremely hard on the glass and takes great pride in his rim protection.   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353590' first='Zikom' last='Etolue'] has the potential to be an extremely fun guard to watch develop over the years. At 6-foot-3, Etolue plays with a fearless mindset in attacking the rim. He doesn't just seek contact, he embraces it and can finish through it. He has ability to knock down shots in the mid-range when his feet and are set, but where he's going to give teams fits is with his effectiveness to get downhill. He brings tremendous positional strength and a chip on his shoulder that has him set up to be a lot like a former Mount St. Joe great in Darryl Morsell.   Other new faces who caught my eye in workouts include 2024 AJ Norman, a 6-foot-2 guard who has a chance to carve out a role by doing the small things that contribute to winning. 2026 Torian Thompson is a name to watch for the future as a kid who shoots the leather off the ball. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2252271' first='BJ' last='Ranson'] is a guard who brings a great feel for the game and is always looking to deliver a cold-blooded shot. Other names to store away who show promise include 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1963388' first='Bryton' last='Barrett'] and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2108094' first='Braydon' last='Young'].

The month of September is upon us which means high schools teams are holding fall workouts, which college coaches of all levels are allowed to attend for a couple of weeks. For me, it gives me the opportunity to take full advantage of getting early looks at the teams in the DMV getting prepared for the 2023-24 season. I started my tour with the reigning Baltimore Catholic League champions.